Associate Professor Rick Sturm
Associate Professor

Rick Sturm

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 37380

Background

Our work on human pigmentation genetics has allowed understanding of normal variation in this physical trait and the associated genotypic risk for skin cancer. The genes that determine an individual's skin phototype and the cellular mechanisms that result in the tanning response of melanocytes after UV-exposure of the skin are actively being investigated.

Assoc. Prof Rick Sturm is group leader in the Dermatology Research Centre within the Frazer Institue.

Availability

Associate Professor Rick Sturm is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Clinical sciences Genetics

Research interests

  • Skin, hair, eye colour and cancer � MC1R/OCA2, the genetic links

    Pigmentary traits such as red hair and fair skin, moles, eye colour, lack of tanning ability and propensity to freckle have been identified as genetic risk factors for skin cancer when combined with the environmental risk factor of high ultraviolet exposure. The major areas of investigation are the role of the OCA2 gene in directing eye colour, and the role of human melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene variants in directing skin phototype and response to UV-induced ligand binding and receptor activation. The MC1R coding sequence is highly polymorphic in human populations and we have examined MC1R variant allele frequencies in the general community as well as a collection of adolescent dizygotic and monozygotic twins with defined pigmentation characteristics. Subscription required to access this paper Variant allele frequencies have also been determined in several case-control studies of sporadic melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and in familial melanoma kindreds collected within Australia. These studies have shown that three MC1R alleles � Arg151Cys, Arg160Trp and Asp294His � were associated with increased risk in all forms of skin cancer and with penetrance and age of onset in familial melanoma in CDKN2A mutation carriers. There is a significant MC1R variant allele heterozygote carrier effect on skin phototype and skin cancer risk, which indicates that these alleles do not behave in a strictly recessive manner.

  • Characterisation of melanoblast stem cell differentiation

    The process of development and differentiation of the melanocytic cell lineage is being investigated using primary melanoblast and melanocyte cells cultured in vitro from human skin. This will provide information to allow the genes and processes involved in melanoma tumour formation and metastasis to be examined. These studies focus on the identification and molecular characterisation of the genes involved in melanocyte function.

  • Mechanisms of melanoma metastasis

    Expression of the �3 integrin gene in melanoma in situ has been found to be the single most important marker of metastasis yet discovered. Experiments to investigate the effects of this expression has involved the use of Adenoviral gene transduction of the �3 integrin subunit into radial growth phase (RGP) melanoma cell lines and differential gene screening. A skin reconstruction model was used to assay the invasivness of RGP melanoma cells after ectopic �3 integrin expression and these studies have discovered induction of the anti-adhesive protein osteonectin is required for melanoma metastasis.

Search Professor Rick Sturm’s works on UQ eSpace

244 works between 1985 and 2024
All (244) Journal Article (199) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (37) Other Outputs (2)

61 - 80 of 244 works

2018

Conference Publication

Whole-exome sequencing of acquired nevi identifies novel mechanisms for development and maintenance of benign neoplasms

Stark, Mitchell S., Tan, Jean-Marie, Tom, Lisa, Jagirdar, Kasturee, Lambie, Duncan, Schaider, Helmut, Soyer, H. Peter and Sturm, Richard A. (2018). Whole-exome sequencing of acquired nevi identifies novel mechanisms for development and maintenance of benign neoplasms. Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Chicago, Illinois, 14-18 April 2018. Philadelphia, PA, United States: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2018-5376

Whole-exome sequencing of acquired nevi identifies novel mechanisms for development and maintenance of benign neoplasms

2018

Journal Article

Genetic variation in IRF4 expression modulates growth characteristics, tyrosinase expression and interferon-gamma response in melanocytic cells

Chhabra, Yash, Yong, Hilary X. L., Fane, Mitchell E., Soogrim, Arish, Lim, Wen, Mahiuddin, Dayana Nur, Kim, Reuben S. Q., Ashcroft, Melinda, Beatson, Scott A., Ainger, Stephen A., Smit, Darren J., Jagirdar, Kasturee, Walker, Graeme J., Sturm, Richard A. and Smith, Aaron G. (2018). Genetic variation in IRF4 expression modulates growth characteristics, tyrosinase expression and interferon-gamma response in melanocytic cells. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 31 (1), 51-63. doi: 10.1111/pcmr.12620

Genetic variation in IRF4 expression modulates growth characteristics, tyrosinase expression and interferon-gamma response in melanocytic cells

2018

Conference Publication

Escape form adaptive drug tolerance through OGT and TET1 mediated H3K4me3 remodeling in MAPKi-resistant melanoma

Menon, D. Ravindran, Hammerlindl, H., Emran, A., Torrano, J., Hammerlindl, S., Zhang, G., Krause, L., Somasundaram, R., Sturm, R., Haass, N. K., Flaherty, K., Herlyn, M. and Schaider, H. (2018). Escape form adaptive drug tolerance through OGT and TET1 mediated H3K4me3 remodeling in MAPKi-resistant melanoma. International Investigative Dermatology (IID) Meeting, Orlando, Fl, United States, 16-19 May 2018. London, United Kingdom: Nature Publishing Group. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.03.1252

Escape form adaptive drug tolerance through OGT and TET1 mediated H3K4me3 remodeling in MAPKi-resistant melanoma

2018

Conference Publication

Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of amelanotic melanoma patients drawn from a Queensland case-control study

Rayner, J., Duffy, D., McMeniman, E. K., Jagirdar, K., Lee, K., Soyer, H. P. and Sturm, R. A. (2018). Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of amelanotic melanoma patients drawn from a Queensland case-control study. Australasian College of Dermatologists, 51st Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, Australia, 19–22 May 2018. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/ajd.10_12815

Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of amelanotic melanoma patients drawn from a Queensland case-control study

2018

Conference Publication

Escape form adaptive drug tolerance through OGT and TET1 mediated H3K4me3 remodeling in MAPKi resistant melanoma

Menon, Dinoop Ravindran, Hammerlindl, Heinz, Al Emran, Abdullah, Torrano, Joachim, Hammerlindl, Sabrina, Zhang, Gao, Somasundaram, Rajasekharan, Sturm, Richard A., Haass, Nikolas K., Flaherty, Keith, Herlyn, Meenhard and Schaider, Helmut (2018). Escape form adaptive drug tolerance through OGT and TET1 mediated H3K4me3 remodeling in MAPKi resistant melanoma. Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Chicago, IL United States, 14-18 April 2018. Philadelphia, PA United States: American Association of Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2018-5833

Escape form adaptive drug tolerance through OGT and TET1 mediated H3K4me3 remodeling in MAPKi resistant melanoma

2018

Conference Publication

Overview of melanoma genetics for dermatologists and results of a genetic analysis of multiple primary melanoma patients

MoMeniman, E., Sturm, R., Duffy, D., Jagirdar, K., Lee, K., Finnane, A., De'Ambrosis, B., Smithers, M. and Soyer, H. P. (2018). Overview of melanoma genetics for dermatologists and results of a genetic analysis of multiple primary melanoma patients. Australasian College of Dermatologists, 51st Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, Australia, 19–22 May 2018. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/ajd.14_12815

Overview of melanoma genetics for dermatologists and results of a genetic analysis of multiple primary melanoma patients

2017

Journal Article

Distinct histone modifications denote early stress-induced drug tolerance in cancer

Emran, Abdullah Al, Marzese, Diego M., Menon, Dinoop Ravindran, Stark, Mitchell S., Torrano, Joachim, Hammerlindl, Heinz, Zhang, Gao, Brafford, Patricia, Salomon, Matthew P., Nelson, Nellie, Hammerlindl, Sabrina, Gupta, Deepesh, Mills, Gordon B., Lu, Yiling, Sturm, Richard A., Flaherty, Keith, Hoon, Dave S. B., Gabrielli, Brian, Herlyn, Meenhard and Schaider, Helmut (2017). Distinct histone modifications denote early stress-induced drug tolerance in cancer. Oncotarget, 9 (9), 8206-8222. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.23654

Distinct histone modifications denote early stress-induced drug tolerance in cancer

2017

Journal Article

Acquired melanocytic naevus phenotypes and MC1R genotypes in Han Chinese: A cross-sectional study

Li, Xiaohong, Lee, Katie J., Duffy, David L., Xu, Dandan, Rao Basude, Madhur Eshwar, Hu, Ying, Zhang, Hang, Jagirdar, Kasturee, Soyer, H. Peter, Dong, Huiting and Sturm, Richard A. (2017). Acquired melanocytic naevus phenotypes and MC1R genotypes in Han Chinese: A cross-sectional study. PeerJ, 5 (12) e4168, e4168. doi: 10.7717/peerj.4168

Acquired melanocytic naevus phenotypes and MC1R genotypes in Han Chinese: A cross-sectional study

2017

Journal Article

The evolving universe of BRAF mutations in melanoma

Schaider, H and Sturm, R A (2017). The evolving universe of BRAF mutations in melanoma. The British Journal of Dermatology, 177 (4), 893-893. doi: 10.1111/bjd.15829

The evolving universe of BRAF mutations in melanoma

2017

Journal Article

Classifying dermoscopic patterns of naevi in a case-control study of melanoma

McWhirter, Seamus R, Duffy, David L, Lee, Katie J, Wimberley, Glen, McClenahan, Philip, Ling, Natalie, Ardigo, Marco, Schaider, Helmut, Soyer, H Peter and Sturm, Richard A (2017). Classifying dermoscopic patterns of naevi in a case-control study of melanoma. PloS One, 12 (10) e0186647, 1-10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186647

Classifying dermoscopic patterns of naevi in a case-control study of melanoma

2017

Journal Article

MSX1-Induced Neural Crest-Like Reprogramming Promotes Melanoma Progression

Heppt, Markus V., Wang, Joshua X., Hristova, Denitsa M., Wei, Zhi, Li, Ling, Evans, Brianna, Beqiri, Marilda, Zaman, Samir, Zhang, Jie, Irmler, Martin, Berking, Carola, Besch, Robert, Beckers, Johannes, Rauscher, Frank J., Sturm, Rick A., Fisher, David E., Herlyn, Meenhard and Fukunaga-Kalabis, Mizuho (2017). MSX1-Induced Neural Crest-Like Reprogramming Promotes Melanoma Progression. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 138 (1), 141-149. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.05.038

MSX1-Induced Neural Crest-Like Reprogramming Promotes Melanoma Progression

2017

Journal Article

Genome-Wide Association shows that pigmentation genes play a role in skin aging

Law, Matthew H., Medland, Sarah E., Zhu, Gu, Yazar, Seyhan, Vinuela, Ana, Wallace, Leanne, Shekar, Sri Niranjan, Duffy, David L., Bataille, Veronique, Glass, Dan, Spector, Tim D., Wood, Diane, MuTHER Consortium, Gordon, Scott D., Barbour, Julie M., Henders, Anjali K., Hewitt, Alex W., Montgomery, Grant W., Sturm, Richard A., Mackey, David A., Green, Adele C., Martin, Nicholas G. and MacGregor, Stuart (2017). Genome-Wide Association shows that pigmentation genes play a role in skin aging. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 137 (9), 1887-1894. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.04.026

Genome-Wide Association shows that pigmentation genes play a role in skin aging

2017

Journal Article

NR4A2 Promotes DNA double-strand break repair upon exposure to UVR

Yin, Kelvin, Chhabra, Yash, Tropee, Romain, Lim, Yi Chieh, Fane, Mitchell, Dray, Eloise, Sturm, Richard A. and Smith, Aaron G. (2017). NR4A2 Promotes DNA double-strand break repair upon exposure to UVR. Molecular Cancer Research, 15 (9), 1184-1196. doi: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-17-0002

NR4A2 Promotes DNA double-strand break repair upon exposure to UVR

2017

Journal Article

Testing of viable human skin cell dilution cultures as an approach to validating microsampling

Ainger, Stephen A., Yong, X. L. Hilary, Soyer, H. Peter and Sturm, Richard A. (2017). Testing of viable human skin cell dilution cultures as an approach to validating microsampling. Archives of Dermatological Research, 309 (4), 305-310. doi: 10.1007/s00403-017-1726-3

Testing of viable human skin cell dilution cultures as an approach to validating microsampling

2017

Journal Article

Skin pigmentation genetics for the clinic

Ainger, Stephen A. , Jagirdar, Kasturee, Lee, Katie J. , Soyer, H. Peter and Sturm, Richard A. (2017). Skin pigmentation genetics for the clinic. Dermatology, 233 (1), 1-15. doi: 10.1159/000468538

Skin pigmentation genetics for the clinic

2017

Journal Article

GSTP1 does not modify MC1R effects on melanoma risk

Daley, G. M., Duffy, D. L., Pflugfelder, A., Jagirdar, K., Lee, K. J., Yong, X. L., Eigentler, T. K., Weide, B., Smithers, B. M., Martin, N. G., Garbe, C., Soyer, H. P. and Sturm, R. A. (2017). GSTP1 does not modify MC1R effects on melanoma risk. Experimental Dermatology, 26 (8), 730-733. doi: 10.1111/exd.13114

GSTP1 does not modify MC1R effects on melanoma risk

2017

Journal Article

NFIB mediates BRN2 driven melanoma cell migration and invasion through regulation of EZH2 and MITF

Fane, Mitchell E., Chhabra, Yash, Hollingsworth, David E. J., Simmons, Jacinta L., Spoerri, Loredana, Oh, Tae Gyu, Chauhan, Jagat, Chin, Toby, Harris, Lachlan, Harvey, Tracey J., Muscat, George E. O., Goding, Colin R., Sturm, Richard A., Haass, Nikolas K., Boyle, Glen M., Piper, Michael and Smith, Aaron G. (2017). NFIB mediates BRN2 driven melanoma cell migration and invasion through regulation of EZH2 and MITF. EBioMedicine, 16, 63-75. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.01.013

NFIB mediates BRN2 driven melanoma cell migration and invasion through regulation of EZH2 and MITF

2017

Conference Publication

The prevalence of BRAF and NRAS in dermoscopic subtypes of acquired naevi

Tan, J-M., Tom, L., Jagirdar, K., Lambie, D., Sturm, R., Soyer, P. and Stark, M. (2017). The prevalence of BRAF and NRAS in dermoscopic subtypes of acquired naevi. Australasian College of Dermatologists 50th Annual Scientific Meeting, Darling Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, 6–9 May 2017. Richmond, VIC., Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/ajd.21_12652

The prevalence of BRAF and NRAS in dermoscopic subtypes of acquired naevi

2017

Conference Publication

Iris freckling as a marker of melanoma risk

Laino, A., Berry, E., Jagirdar, K., Lee, K., Duffy, D., Soyer, P. and Sturm, R. (2017). Iris freckling as a marker of melanoma risk. Australasian College of Dermatologists 50th Annual Scientific Meeting, Darling Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, 6–9 May 2017. Richmond, VIC., Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/ajd.20_12652

Iris freckling as a marker of melanoma risk

2016

Conference Publication

Phenotypic and genotypic risk factors for naevi and melanoma

Sturm, R. (2016). Phenotypic and genotypic risk factors for naevi and melanoma. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Phenotypic and genotypic risk factors for naevi and melanoma

Past funding

  • 2018
    Targeted and personalised early detection of melanoma using a 3D teledermatology network
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2024
    ACRF Cancer Ultrastructure and Function Facility
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Epigenetic remodelling driving acquired permanent drug resistance in melanoma cells
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2021
    Centre of Research Excellence for the Study of Naevi
    NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Human pigmentation pathway in UV-protection and mechanisms of melanoma risk
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Investigation of the molecular basis of human nevogenesis and melanoma initiation
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Next-generation cell analysis: Automated high-throughput 3D microscope and multimode microplate reader
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Genetic polymorphisms associated with clinical and dermoscopic naevus signature patterns
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Investigating the role of NR4A nuclear receptors in melanocytic DNA repair and tumorigenicity
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    NHMRC Research Fellowship: Human pigmentation genetics, melanocyte biology and skin cancer
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Functional assessment of new melanoma genomic mutations
    Worldwide Cancer Research
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Analytical flow cytometer for cell and developmental biology and drug discovery applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Ligand interactions of the MC1R receptor and cellular consequences for melanocyte responses to UV-damage
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Quantitave real-time PCR instrumentation for rapid, high-throughput gene expression studies.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Effects of nevogenesis susceptibility genes and phenotypic correlation with dermoscopic characteristics of nevi
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Investigating the BRN2/MITF axis in melanoma sphere formation and as a therapeutic target for metastatic melanoma
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Quantitative real-time PCR instrumentation for rapid, high-throughput gene expression studies
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Real time cell analysis for biological and drug discovery applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Investigating the role of the NR4A nuclear receptor family in melanocyte function and tumorigenesis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Molecular, genetic and cellular analysis of melanisation in human pigmentation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2016
    The ACRF Cancer Biology Imaging Facility
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Analytical flow cytometer for high throughput cell biology and drug discovery applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Spheroid cell growth in melanocytic development and differentiation
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2008
    A high-throughput facility for the identification and analysis of gene regulatory elements and factors
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    MC1R polymorphisms associated with skin cancer risk phenotypes
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Combined genetic and cellular analysis of melanisation to study variation in human pigmentation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Melanocytic spheroids as a model for melanoma development and metastasis
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Elucidating PPARgamma regulations of melanocytic cell function and tumorigenesis
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Elucidating PPARy function: implications for melanocytic cell function
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Parallel genetic and cellular analysis of melanogensis: A new paradigm to study variation in pigmentation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Role of Beta3 integrin induced osteonectin expression in melanoma metastasis
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    The role of MC1R Polymorphism in skin cancer risk phenotypes
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2007
    NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Pathways from genotype and environment to melanoma
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Functional Analysis of Human MC1R Polymorphisms in Directing Melanocyte Phenotype
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2000
    MSHR Gene Variation in Skin Cancer
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Human Pigmentation Genes and Skin Cancer
    Cancer Bequest Fund
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Skin colour and cancer
    Government Employees Medical Research Fund
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1999
    Role of the Brn-2 POU-transcription factor in directing the melanocytic cell phenotype
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Human pigmentation gene alleles
    NHMRC Project Grant - Standard
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Rick Sturm is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Rick Sturm directly for media enquiries about:

  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Carcinoma
  • Eye colour
  • Genetics
  • Hair colour
  • Human pigmentation
  • Melanoma
  • Pigmentation - human skin
  • Skin cancer
  • Skin colour
  • Skin tanning
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Sun cancer
  • Sun damage
  • Sun exposure
  • Tanning - of skin

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